New Delhi, November 3: The Centre has told the Delhi High Court that it plans to remove the century-old Qadeemi Masjid located within the Krishi Bhawan premises, arguing that a permanent religious structure is incompatible with the secular character of government property.

The mosque is located at the site where Krishi Bhawan and the adjoining Shastri Bhawan are proposed to be demolished to make way for new buildings under the Central Vista redevelopment project.

The Centre submitted that Krishi Bhawan and the Central Secretariat complex are secular public premises meant exclusively for government, administrative and public service functions. It argued that a permanent religious structure cannot be retained within such government office premises.

On Monday, the Delhi High Court sought to know whether any rules prohibit religious structures within government complexes. Justice Anish Dayal also asked the Centre to clarify the rules governing the provision of alternative prayer spaces.

The court observed that if the government’s position is that no prayer space can be provided for any community within government premises, there must be specific rules supporting that position. These were observations by the court and not a final order directing the mosque’s removal.

The caretaking committee of the Waqf-notified Qadeemi Masjid had approached the court in September, apprehending demolition. It has sought protection from demolition or removal by the CPWD and NDMC. The committee has also requested an adequate alternative prayer facility nearby if retaining the mosque at its present location is not possible.

According to the committee, the mosque has been used for prayers by employees of Krishi Bhawan and neighbouring Central Government offices since Independence. An agreement in 1940 had granted the managing committee of Jama Masjid permission to use the property as a mosque.

The Centre, however, told the court that Shahi Masjid Zabta Ganj near India Gate is located within a two-kilometre radius and can serve as an alternative prayer facility.

The High Court granted the mosque committee time to respond to the Centre’s submission. The next hearing is scheduled for November 23.